Accelerating Adaptive Action Programme
Unlocking actions to build a climate adaptive Yorkshire and the Humber
The Accelerating Adaptive Action Programme aims to accelerate climate adaptation actions across Yorkshire and the Humber.
The impacts of climate change are not confined to remote parts of the world or things that will happen way into the future – they are unfolding now in Yorkshire and the Humber.
Extreme weather events have already impacted our communities and will continue to do so at an increasing rate and magnitude: in 2022, temperatures exceeded 40oC for the first time; our region is estimated to be one of the most flood-vulnerable in England; and the Humber could experience sea level rise of 1.3m in the next 100 years.
Decisions about infrastructure planning, extreme event preparedness, public health and food security are often made at regional and local level. To become more resilient as a region, we need to work together to better understand the risks, to prepare for disruptive events, and to deliver initiatives that help us adapt.
The programme has three core objectives that cut across the various workstreams:
- Discover the now: establish regional baselines
Build regional baselines for each of the five project workstreams (see below) through gathering targeted evidence. Collate indicators for monitoring and evaluation.
- Prioritise and act now
Prioritise and implement climate adaptation actions that are within reach given existing resources. - Unlock further climate adaptation actions
Explore what resources can be leveraged/mobilised to unlock further adaptation actions.
Project workstreams
Extend the successful Climate Adaptation Programme for Local Authorities (CAPLA) to the private sector and other organisations and explore joined-up working between stakeholders and sectors across the region.
Gather the evidence to build a regional picture of climate risks, vulnerability hotspots and opportunities.
Explore what adaptive societies are, collating examples of successful climate adaptation and assessing their potential for replication. Understand the role that climate adaptation policies play in enabling resilience and responsiveness to change.
Explore and clarify public and private responsibilities for climate adaptation in the region. For example, where does the role of local authorities start/end in preparing for / protecting communities for climate risks?
Research how climate adaptation actions could be financed from public and private sources, and build a business case for investment using the economic costs of past extreme events in the region.
Evidence Base
Our journey so far: from discovery to actions
From 2021-2024, the Commission’s work on adaptation focused on developing a better understanding of existing adaptation initiatives in the region, exploring where the potential stumbling blocks to actions are, creating safe spaces for stakeholders to have conversations on climate adaptation, and on building the capacity of organisations (particularly local authorities) to mainstream climate adaptation in their decision-making processes.
We also developed four short discussion papers and carried out public consultation on four adaptation-related topics (emergency planning and response, infrastructure, health, and business). Read more on how we are responding to public views.
The insights from this first phase of work on climate adaptation have been key to shaping the workstreams of this programme.
Further reading
Unlocking climate adaptation in local authorities
Read more arrow right
Get involved
